Jane also has some great tutorials - A lined front zipper pouch with hidden seams (coincidentally something I was planning on doing soon - most of the other tutorials out there have exposed seams) and a box pouch

Monday, 26 November 2012

I'm likely not going to be at my sewing machine much during the holiday season, so I'm sharing an old project I did.

I can't take credit for the idea of this pencil case, my friend saw something like it and asked me to try and make something similiar. Cute, huh..

I made a second one for my son who was 2 years a the time.. He named him "Dolphin". I told him it was a fish. He's really supposed to be a shark, but with the floppy top fin, he looks more like a fish of some sort)

I love them! I printed them at a photo lab at 8x10 and inserted into frames.. How easy for some cute decor.

There's plenty of options if you google "Christmas subway art" or "Christmas Word Art". I'm thinking I might take a stab at making my own... Bag making related! Would be great sewing room decor, don't cha think?!

Monday, 19 November 2012

Here is my latest bag. As mentioned before it is for my assignment to a online class I am taking. Although the class is a "work on your own timeline" deal, I really wanted to complete the bag by early November, so I could concentrate on getting ready for the holidays. Sick with the flu for a couple weeks, I was delayed a bit.

I was aiming for a hobo bucket bag.. I ended up with a slouchy hobo bucket bag.. close enough I think.

Comparing the photo above and below, you can see how the top slouches when the bag is hung.

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The front has a zipper pocket and two large slip pockets that wrap around the sides. I had installed the zipper pocket first and then sewed down the middle of the open pocket to make it into two.. Of course while doing this I also sewed down the middle of the zipper pocket.

arrgh!

Luckily, it wasn't too bad to rip out those stitches and then resew over the holes in the faux leather. Good lesson to check things like that.. Doubt I'll remember for next time though!

The back has just one large pocket that has a magnetic snap closure.

The bag has a zipper closure that I puzzled over for a while. Happy that it turned out ok.

Sewing the bottom to the sides was the most challenging part. The pockets were sewed into the seams to I had multiple layers of fabric to sew on to the oval bottom.. Far, far, from perfect.. a few puckers and gathers.

I ran out of steam when doing the lining.. Just one zipper pocket, which you can't see in the photo.. It's there, trust me. :)

I am very happy with how it turned out. midway through I was sure I wouldn't like the end result and lost a bit of motivation.. however it came out quite nice with a few flaws here and there.

I think this will likely be my last bag making endeavour for 2012. <sad face> I have a lot of Holiday crafting and baking (and shopping and wrapping) to do. My mind is already working on my next bag though. And I'm hoping to find some time for some pouches for the Happy Little Pouch Hop.

Saturday, 17 November 2012

Chris's blog showcases her great bag patterns. I have been very tempted to try a few of them, but I've been focusing on making my own patterns, so I've resisted. For now.. I looove her new Abigail Bag.

She also has some great tips. I just used her tip on clipping and notching curves a couple days ago when working on a bag. Many other useful posts on installing hardware and making straps.

Wednesday, 14 November 2012

I was browsing around today and come across a couple Bag Blog events going on.

Participants of the Long Weekend Blog Hop are sewing Amy Butler's Weekender Bag. I've never made this pattern but I do really like the look of the bag and have read quite a few blog posts about it. It seems to be a challenging bag but with a great result. Check out some of the particpants to oogle some bags.

This upcoming event is all about Pouches!
Hopefuly I'll have some time to take part by making a pouch or two.. The flickr pool is already open, so I'm going to start with my magentic top pouch.

I love these kind of events. I'm new to them, so if you know of anymore bag related events going now or in the future let me know!

Finally started my next bag! I created a pattern during the weekend and cut out the fabric and interfacing for the exterior today.

I still need to cut on the lining. I'm a procrastinator like that.

This bag is actually my fourth assignment at a class I'm taking at http://howtomakeadesignerhandbag.com/ I started taking the beginner class a few months back and have really been enjoying it. Each assignment you need to design your own bag with certain criteria. This assignment is for an oval bottom bag. The rest of the bag design is up to me.

I'm also taking the opportunity to "teach myself" a different zipper closure for the bag. I'm still mulling over how to do it. It will be basically be like a zipper pouch zipper but on a curve and attached to straps.. simple no? We'll see.. ﻿

The bag is going to have large faux leather pockets that wrap around the entire bag. And at least one zipper pocket on the exterior.

I'm using this fusible fleece on the fabric. I've used it a few times and really like it. It gives the fabric some body without stiffness. (And no, I have no affliation with them.)

So hopefully I'll have a completed bag to share over the next few days!

Friday, 9 November 2012

So I'm still struggling with being sick, so no progress on my next bag. I thought I would feature another bag making website blog.

I came across Emmaline Bags and Sewing Pattern quite recently. And am I glad I did. I LOVE Emmaline's tutorial on making vinyl bag straps. I have begun attaching straps to bags with rings and would just fold the strap around the ring leaving some ugly visible ends. Emmaline's method is so much nicer and I will be using it from now on.

Tuesday, 6 November 2012

It's been nearly a month since I finished my last bag. And I'm itching to start my next. Halloween costumes, a crazy-hectic couple of weeks at work and sickness in our house has kept me busy. <Cough> <Sneeze> <Cough>

I am starting to plan my next bag which I'm just sketching and planning out now. In the meantime I thought I would share a bag I made a few months ago.

I like to browse around online bag stores for inspiration and ideas. A particular type of bag caught my eye. I've been liking the foldover/convertible style recently. This isn't exactly what I saw previously but very similiar

Inspiration bag

﻿﻿After staring at the picture for a while, trying to figure out how to make something like it, I decided to give it a try. Here's what I came up with:

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At the time I was pretty proud of myself!

Now I see quite a few flaws - I sized it wrong,it's too small and the handles could be vastly improved.

Oh those handles! I spent a lot of time trying to figure how to get the rounded handles. There is nylon rope inside a fabric tube, but the tube is slightly too big. There were many attempts at these handles and quite a bit of fabric was chucked out as a result. The end result is not perfect but was a good experiment.

It was also meant to be a gift to a visiting family member from overseas, but wasn't finished in time. My intention was to mail it but due to the size, I didn't think it was usable, so I'll have to make a replacement at some point.

And after I made this I found a tutorial for something similiar at Craftster!

While I don't think this is anywhere good enough to be considered a knock off, I think I'm going to upload to the Knock it Off November Event pool.. just a fun event!

Thursday, 1 November 2012

I've learnt (and am still learning) just about everything I know about bag making online. I have come across some great resources and since blogging I have found some more. I thought every so often I would do a "feature" on a blog or site that is great resource or just inspirational to me and possibly other bag makers.

A good blog to start with is Sew, Mama, Sew. They just started thier Handmade Holidays event. Each day in November some great resources are provided for handmade gifts and even better, each day will include a bag tutorial. I'll be checking it out for sure!